Teacher's Guide to Ostrich Eyelids Prompt

For this week's Wildlife Writing Wednesday, we wanted to offer some insight for you as the instructor in case:

you want to offer any introductory discussion for your students before releasing the prompt to them

it is helpful for you in your evaluation/understanding

this understanding helps you to alter the prompt for grade level

PROMPT:

Ostriches are native to different regions in Africa. One of its primary habitats is a Savanna, which could be described as a combination of tropical and desert grassland. In the photo, you can see the Ostrich's nictitating membrane, which is one of three eyelids. Based on the environment the Ostriches live in, why do you think they would have three eyelids, and what would the eyelids be used for?

Ostriches are the largest bird in the world. In the photo below, you see a normal photo of an Ostrich with open eyes.

In the next photo (below), is a zoomed-in image of the photo for this week's prompt. This shows one of the Ostrich's three eyelids.

The white-colored eyelid is actually its nictitating membrane, which is a translucent membrane that forms an inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals. It can be drawn across the eye to protect it from dust and keep it moist. (Oxford Dictionary)

For a visual of the African regions to which the Common Ostrich is native, visit iucnredlist.org.

EDUCATION

We love animals, but for the safety of your animal and ours, OUTSIDE ANIMALS INCLUDING PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED. "At a zoo, service animals can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated." For full explanation from United States Department of Justice, visit www.ada.gov. Click here for answers to more frequently-asked questions.